In a previous post, I opened up to you that it was my dream was to have a real Brick and Mortar boutique. That dream came true sooner than I had imagined. On February 11th, 2017 The Eclectic Chic Boutique had its first Open Studio Store Night at Studio PURE and The Natural Store, located at 4 Midland Ave, Montclair, NJ. We set up our Pop Up Shop, which happened to coincide with a Greeting Card Making Party and Head Wrapping Class that were also booked that night. Studio PURE is mainly only open by appointment for clients, but on Open Studio Store Night, the studio is open to the public and potential customers can walk in and shop without an appointment.

I also had the pleasure of working with Nia Reid-Allen, one of our newest member artists and owner of Myrtle&Flossie. Myrtle&Flossie is a Jersey City-based lifestyle brand, offering new mothers a reliable source of easy fashion, homeopathic body care products, and information on easing postpartum symptoms. The focus of her business is "mom after baby", a unique philosophy of nurturing mothers' emotional and self-esteem needs after giving birth.

We at The Eclectic Chic Boutique are proud of the help and guidance that Myrtle&Flossie has to offer, and look forward to working with her brand in the years to come.​

Back to the night in question; my friend and business colleague Ahava Felicidad, owner of Studio PURE, invited me and Nia to set up shop in her store during Open Studio Store Night. It was not the first time Ahava and I had done an event together in her studio . Only a week before, we coordinated a Valentine’s Day Pop Up event we called Art With a Heart. After witnessing the overwhelmingly positive response and realizing how beneficial it was to both of our businesses - we made the decision to join forces and create a shared store and studio space. Ahava provides hair consultations, natural hair advice, and other client-based services. The products I provide in shop offers a shopping experience for her clients, and allows me to have a brick and mortar presence in the community.

The Eclectic Chic Boutique will be popping up at her store 2 to 3 times a month, hosting a variety of craft and shopping events, plus meet and greets with our Member Artists. If you sign up for our e-newsletter, you will be alerted as to when we are popping up, what our hours will be, and what kind of promotions you can take advantage of.

I can’t express in words how thrilled I am that I was able to connect with such amazing artists through networking, aligning and joining forces - or how honored and humbled I am that they have accepted me as one of their own. Together, we were able to build a strong foundation for a business based on supporting local artisans and promoting a healthy lifestyle. I hope you all stay connected to see where this wild venture will take us.